TALL Lecture Series
Thank you for your interest in Third Age Learning Lakehead. We look forward to sharing the details of our next lecture series. Please check back often!
Artificial Intelligence: Applications & Implications
About the Series
Date(s): Wednesdays, April 16th - May 14th, 2025
Time: 9:30 to 11:30 am
Place: In-person or Live-streamed at St. Paul's Centre in Orillia
Price: $75 +HST for the whole series; $20 +HST for a single talk.
Explore Artificial Intelligence, from its foundational principles to its groundbreaking applications across industries. Each session will cover key topics such as Cold War 2.0, AI in Arts and Culture, ethical considerations, AI in healthcare, security and safety, building awareness to support our own interactions with and potential (or inevitable) reliance upon AI. The series is designed for all levels, providing both theoretical insights and practical knowledge, with guest speakers from diverse fields sharing their expertise. Join us to uncover the immense potential of AI and its transformative impact on society.
Recordings will be sent to registered participants following each talk.
Thriving in a VUCA World: Refining Human Potential with Creativity, Adaptability, and Augmented Intelligence
Kelly Parke
Wednesday, April 16, 2025
In a rapidly changing world defined by Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, and Ambiguity(VUCA), the key to thriving lies in refining human potential through creativity, adaptability, and augmented intelligence. This interactive workshop explores how individuals and teams can enhance problem-solving, decision-making, and innovation by blending human ingenuity with AI-powered insights. Participants will engage in hands-on exercises to strengthen adaptability, unlock creative potential, and harness augmented intelligence as a tool for growth and transformation. Join us to discover how to navigate uncertainty with confidence and turn challenges into opportunities by evolving alongside technology.
Kelly Parke is a distinguished academic and media professional with expertise in innovation, creativity, and technology. With extensive experience in designing and delivering creativity courses for MBA and Master of Marketing programs, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the next generation of business leaders.
As a design consultant, he has advised organizations and governments on creative strategies to address complex challenges. His innovation projects span diverse domains, including enhancing fan experiences in the NFL, developing strategic visions for the future of the Canadian healthcare system, advancing affordable housing solutions, and formulating economic resilience strategies in the face of global warming.
With a deep understanding of artificial intelligence, adaptability, and remote education, he excels at crafting creative and forward-thinking solutions that drive meaningful impact.
Cold War 2.0 and Artificial Intelligence: What it Means for Canada, and the New Trump Administration
George Takach
Wednesday, April 23, 2025
With wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and rising tensions around Taiwan, come hear author and geopolitical analyst George S. Takach explain the artificial intelligence dynamics that tie all these events together. George believes we are in a new cold war, and that artificial intelligence will be key to whether the democracies or the autocracies win this struggle. He will also address what it all means for Canada specifically. In addition, George will have thoughts on the new Administration in Washington.
George Takach has undergrad and law degrees from the University of Toronto, and an MA from the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs in Ottawa. He is a former partner and national Technology Industry Leader at the McCarthy Tétrault law firm, where for 35+ years he represented Canadian and international technology companies (with financings, M&A and commercial matters) and traditional companies and governments with their sophisticated technology transactions and projects. During his legal career he was also an Adjunct Professor at Osgoode Hall Law School for 22 years, a columnist for Lexpert Magazine, and wrote three books on tech/law topics. Currently he writes books on technology and geopolitics for a general audience, including Cold War 2.0: Artificial Intelligence in the New Battle Between China, Russia and America (see information at Simon&Schuster.com). George will bring copies of this book for purchase and signing.
George is an in-demand speaker for conferences, podcasts, radio interviews, presentations to "Third Age" groups, etc. He was recently on TVO's The Agenda, talking about Cold War 2.0.
TBA
Vern Crowley
Wednesday, April 30, 202
TBA
Wednesday, May 7, 2025
TBA
Miranda McKee
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
How to Buy Tickets
The Spring 2025 session of Third Age Learning Lakehead will be delivered in person at the St. Paul's Centre in Orillia and virtually. Light refreshments (coffee and cookies) will be served if attending in-person. Please bring a reusable mug.
Tickets for the full series are $75 plus HST.